Jordan Love took the Green Bay Packers’ QB1 mantle after Aaron Rodgers parted ways with the franchise in 2023. Rodgers, 41, played 18 seasons with the Packers and led them to a Super Bowl win.
After donning the New York Jets’ colors for two years, Rodgers has joined the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 2025 NFL season. Love opened up about facing the four-time NFL MVP in the upcoming season.
Jordan Love Shares His Feelings About Facing Aaron Rodgers’ Steelers in Week 8
Rodgers kept Steelers management waiting for over two months before giving his nod to suit up for them next season. The franchise, confident about signing Rodgers, did not draft a quarterback until the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Rodgers led the Packers to the Vince Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl XLV against the Steelers. Fifteen years later, he will be the quarterback for Pittsburgh. Love, who will be entering his third season as the Packers’ starting QB, spoke to Jason Wilde about Rodgers’ signing with the Steelers and Green Bay’s Week 8 matchup against his former mentor.
“I was excited for A-Rod,” Love said. “I don’t feel like I was too surprised. There were a lot of rumors going on throughout the whole offseason about him going to the Steelers.
“I was excited for him, that he was obviously coming back and going to be playing,” he said. “There were also some rumors that he might be done, so just knowing he’s going to keep playing, that’s pretty awesome.”
Love is excited to face Rodgers and is hopeful about one thing at the end of their Week 8 contest.
“It’s going to be fun, it’s going to be awesome,” Love said. “I’m excited for it. I can’t wait to be on different sides meeting up, and I know we’ll talk pregame and things like that, and hopefully we can exchange jerseys after.”
EXCLUSIVE: @jasonjwilde caught up with #Packers QB Jordan Love at the @amfamchamp.
On playing against Aaron Rodgers and the #Steelers: “I can’t wait to be on different sides meeting up…hopefully we can exchange jerseys after.”@ESPNMilwaukee | @ESPNbd | @ESPNMadison pic.twitter.com/eLzdGTPEbA
— Wilde & Tausch (@WildeAndTausch) June 7, 2025
The Packers’ QB also talked about Rodgers’ mentorship during the three seasons they shared a locker room.
“In my time with A-Rod, we had a great relationship,” he said. “It was awesome being in the same room with him, being able to learn. He was amazing with everything. I definitely appreciate the way he handled everything on the outside with obviously him leaving and me taking over, and he’s been very supportive of me.”
Rodgers has signed a one-year, $13.65 million contract with the Steelers. The deal includes $10 million in guaranteed money. He can also earn $5.65 million in playing-time and team-performance incentives, bringing the total value of the deal to $19.5 million. He will be the Steelers’ starting QB ahead of Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson, and rookie Will Howard.
